The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1887-09-02
Prohibition in Iowa,

Noines Register: Many inqui-
,,.ye been sent to this state by per-
in TEXAS who desire information
!. N, effects of Iowa's experiment
nrohibition. The enemies of pro-
tiou are circulating all manner of
aboo,)s about the result of the law
and are trusting to the distance
L the state for them to escape ex-
,,r. The following letter was
tten hv Attorney General Baker in
bouse to an honest inquiry for infor-
ion. and it very etrectually disposes
Nome of the stock stories which the
a.prohlbitionists have been using
rjghten people with in other states:
PENpLEToN, ESQ, Austin, Texas:
BEAR SIR: Your letter of the 28th
is a, hand, enclosing a circular re-
tiuy on the manner in which pro-
ition is enforced in Iowa, and par
Glarlv on the conduct of Constables
It's and Pierce in making seizures
arrests under said law. 1 am also
receipt of a copy of the Bolton,
sxy Journal of the 23d of June, in
Sicl is letter written by William
EMerritt, postmaster at Des Moines,
wa. You ask me to say whether or
the letter of the postmaster is q
brrect statement of the facts or is
slpadlng.' l will give you the facts
#they really are and you and your
fople cah best judge of the true char
iter of the pestmaster's letter.
Mr. Merritt says in his letter that the
feet of prohibition IN Iowa has been
E"array neighborhood against neigh
5rhood citizen against citizen, and
is proved destructive to the peace and
bod order Of society" The good Post
|aster drew very largely on his imag-
Iatlon when making that statement.
have never heard of any neighbor-
bods in the state that have been ar
Syed against each other over prohibit
(tion or any thing else. 1t has array
some citizens against some other
(tizens: that is, the saloon element
kveo on various occasions endeayOred
n force, violence. mobs. and murders
prevent the enforcement of the law.
lflat class of citizens have been arrayed
gainst the citizens who have favored
bedience to law. 1t will certainly be
in Texas if prohibition is adopted.
'he saloon power has no regard for
lw and order. They live and thrive
n disorder and violence, and you may
well brace your nerves to the newt
ble fight against the world, the flesh,
nd the devil when you attempt to sup
ress the saloon.
Emigration to Iowa has not ceased
y any means. The state is prosper
us and the people peaceable and more
aW abiding than at any time in its
isthry.
There has been good, healthy influx
fbusiness men to Des Moines in the
ast year, and very many new and
rosperous lines of business have been
langnrated. The city is building
lore and better business houaes than
any season for number of years,
nd the newspapers inform us almost
ally OF new and important enterprises
nat are being inaugurated by home
nd foreign capital.
In fact, the city of Des Moines is
rosperous, and is marching on to a
rand future of success. True it is
lany persons have left Iowa. The
est class have gone into the prohibit
on state OF Kansas, and the word
omes back from there: "Send us more
these good citizens that are making
ansas BOOM"
The saloon keepers and their accom-
anying thugs and roughs have emil
rated to the license state of Nebraska
here the good people in consequence
hereof are beginning to clamor fol
| inciose you letter
ON Hon. j. w. Harvey, one of the
dyes of the district court of Iowa
nd what is true in every district in
lie state where prohibition has been
'ell enforced. Judge Ruddick gives
saIly a better report from his district:
IS no uncommon thing to see face.
Gus advertisements of jails for rent
ecause they have stood so long idle
fohlbltlon is rock-rooted in Iowa, and
coming more popular as the years &C
y.
Hoping that Texas may succeed in
5 Efforts for humanity and the home
no Then outstrip Kansas in prosperity
am. Yours truly RAI,Ep